Crate



(No-Model.)

A. STRATTON.

GRATB. v No. 573,718. Patented Dem-Z2, 1896.

1 F f L: 2 .74 F4 2 f UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW STRATTON, OF AUGUSTA, WVISCONSIN.

CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 573,718, dated December 22, 1896. Application filed June 5, 1896. Serial No. 594,386. (No model.)

gusta, in the county of Eau Claire and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Crates; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in crates for shipping eggs, berries, and the like; and it has for its objects, among others, to provide a simple and cheap, light, yet strong and durable crate that can be manufactured at small cost without the employment of nails, screws, or the like, that can be readily set up or taken apart for shipment or storage and packed in small compass when desired. The trays are also adapted to be folded so as to occupy but little space, and are provided with strings or lifting devices by which they may be readily lifted out, so as to avoid the necessity of handling the eggs one by one.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved crate set up. Fig. 2 shows the same folded. Fig. 3 is a view of one of the trays removed.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in the several views.

Referring now to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates corner-posts, there being two at each corner; B, the end rails, and O the side rails, which are formed of thin pieces of material formed with interlocking notches a, so that when set up with the end and side pieces arranged alternately and extended through between the cornerposts the notches of the end pieces will engage the upper faces of the side pieces and the notches 0f the side pieces will engage the upper faces of the end pieces, and thus the parts will be securely held together.

The bottom is formed with strips D, having offsets cl to limit their movement endwise, and they are seated in notches e in the upper faces of the lowermost side piece. These side pieces rest upon the wires or other fastenin gs E, which are secured to the'corner-posts, and after the end pieces are all in position the upper side pieces F are placed in position, being formed on their under faces with notches f, which engage over the upper edges of the end pieces and lock the same. These side pieces F are further provided upon their under faces with notches f, into which are engaged the pieces G, forming the top of the crate, which are also formed at their ends with offsets or shoulders g, which limit their endwise movement.

The upper ends of the corner-posts are secured by wires or analogous means H, and after the parts are all in position pieces I, which are wedge-shaped, as shown, are inserted between these top wires and the upper edges of the side pieces F and when driven in look all of the parts in position.

The trays are formed, preferably, of paste board or analogous material and are adapted to fold as indicated, the sides and ends and partitions being hinged or pivoted to the bottom piece in order to permit of their being folded. They are provided with covers J, having handles or analogous means K, by which they may be lifted when desired. Pieces of pasteboard L may be placed within the crate around the sides, as indicated, so as to form a lining therefor.

Modifications in details may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

The bottom and top slats are preferably provided with notches similar to -the end slats and serve to keep the bottom from spreading.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A crate composed of angularly-disposed corner-posts, interlocking side and end strips overlapping between the posts, a slatted bottom engaging notches in the lowermost side strips, upper side pieces having notches on their under sides, a slatted top and wedgestrips for locking the parts in position, substantially as described.

2. A crate composed of angularly-disposed corner-posts,interlockin g sides and end strips overlapping between the posts, a slatted bottom engaging notches in thelowermost side strips, upper side pieces having notches on their under sides, a slatted top and wedgestrips for locking the parts in position, the corner-posts being each composed of two parts joined together at their upper and lower ends, substantially as described.

A crate composed of angularly-disposed corner-posts, interlocking sides and end strips overlapping between the posts, a slatted bottom engaging notches in the lowermost side strips, upper side pieces having notches on their under sides, a slatted top and wedgestrips for locking the parts in position, combined with a removable lining, substantially as described.

4. A crate composed of angularly-disposed corner-posts, interlocking sides and end strips overlapping between the posts, a slatted bottom engaging notches in the lowermost side strips, upper side pieces having notches on their under sides, a slatted top and wedge- ANDRE \V STRATTON.

\Vitnesses:

E. M. BRADFORD, G. O. LINDERMAN. 

